SkirtsAfire is Edmonton’s theatre and multidisciplinary arts festival featuring and elevating the work of women. Along with their regular programming, this year’s festival will feature four bold world premieres by women artists: stories that chart identity, belonging, healing, and resistance. These world premieres are at the heart of this year’s theme: The Maps We Make.

The 2026 SkirtsAfire Festival runs March 5 – 15 at various venues in Old Strathcona and the French Quarter, plus their newest venue in Rossdale: ArtsHub Ortona. There’s lots to see and do at SkirtsAfire – take it all in!

Featured New Works:

Ms. Pat’s Kitchen by Jameela J. McNeil follows Pat as she transitions into a new stage of her life, and her very own restaurant, while her daughter Kenise prepares to take a leap into adulthood, although her journey to independence is not what she thought it would be. It runs March 5 – 8 at ArtsHub Ortona.

I Am Eagle by Matricia Bauer, playing March 6 – 7 at Walterdale Theatre, explores the playwright’s experience as a ‘60s Scoop Survivor. Through puppetry and fantasy, the piece confronts difficult history and follows Matricia’s return to culture, identity, and community.

Put Your Lips Together by Louise Casemore is a surreal neon-noir about the experience of women in the workplace. It will be presented as a reading on March 10 & 12 at Gateway Theatre. The March 12th performance will be followed by a panel discussion: “Writing Real Women”. A conversation about writing three-dimensional women, questioning recurring tropes, and ethical approaches to characters inspired by real people.

Things I Shouldn’t Tell You by Shannan Calcutt runs March 12 – 15 at Walterdale Theatre. A funny, frank one-woman show about perimenopause, caregiving, and figuring yourself out (again).

AND! Off the Page returns with a captivating evening of multidisciplinary storytelling, featuring a selection of works-in-progress and excerpts.

Get your tickets now by following the website link below!